Inside VR & AR (Feb 12th, 2018)

Apple has invested in eMagin, a manufacturer of OLED microdisplays. Apple joined with Valve, LG, Immerex, and Stillwater Holdings to invest up to $10.6 million in eMagin. According to the SEC filings the companies were to receive stock in eMagin as part of the investment. The company was founded in 1993 and produces microdisplays for military, medical, industrial, and other applications. The high resolution (up to 2,500 pixels per inch) displays could enable the next generation of VR/AR hardware. — TECHCRUNCH

Configura, the maker of CET design software, debuted its new InstantAR technology. The InstantAR is an extension of the CET software and it works similarly to the IKEA and Houzz apps that let consumers view furnishings in augmented reality before purchasing. Configura worked with technology company Praxik to build InstantAR, which allows designers to project their creations into a client's space and share the 3D model. The technology was showcased at The Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair and will launch on Feb. 15. — VRFOCUS

The HADO World Cup eSports tournament is coming to the United States.HADO is an AR team sport that lets users run, jump and toss energy balls at opposing players. The headsets use 6S iPhones, a motion sensor attached to the wrist, and several AR trackers. The team that scores the most points during the allotted time wins. The HADO eSports tournament launched in 2016 in Japanese theme parks and malls and expanded into Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries, and there have been two international tournaments. HADO will come to the entertainment centers in this country later this year, along with a new multi-person HADO Kart game. — VRSCOUT

The German media company Axel Springer announced it is taking part in a new financing round for Magic Leap. The company did not disclose the amount of funding or whether it was the only investor. Axel Springer is the largest digital publishing house in Europe and produces German magazines including Die Welt and Bild, and online publication Business Insider. Magic Leap is shipping the creator edition of its AR headsets early this year. Magic Leap completed a Series D funding round in October and has $1.9 billion in funding, not including the Axel Springer investment. — ROADTOVR

Merge Labs is selling its Kids Mini AR/VR headsets for $30. The headsets are meant for kids age 10 and older, are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones, and are lightweight and soft. Merge has been offering discounts for classrooms to use the technology, and the company also produces an AR blaster/controller and has a large array of titles available on its miniverse.io platform. — VRFOCUS

Hasbro is bringing its new "Marvel Avengers: Infinity War Hero VisionIron Man AR Experience" to this weekend's Toy Fair in New York City. The toy includes an Iron Man mask and "gauntlet" hand piece. The mask accommodates a smartphone and the iOS/Android app uses AR markers to overlay the enemies and bases. The game does not require ARKit or the internet to play, and it includes mandatory breaks in the play so that children aren't staring at a screen for too long. The device is priced at $50 and will go on sale this spring. — VERGE

Hasbro is bringing its new "Marvel Avengers: Infinity War Hero VisionIron Man AR Experience" to this weekend's Toy Fair in New York City. The toy includes an Iron Man mask and "gauntlet" hand piece. The mask accommodates a smartphone and the iOS/Android app uses AR markers to overlay the enemies and bases. The game does not require ARKit or the internet to play, and it includes mandatory breaks in the play so that children aren't staring at a screen for too long. The device is priced at $50 and will go on sale this spring. — VERGE

Inside VR & AR

The present and future of virtual/augmented reality news and technology